Interior Design course curriculum

NAU School of Art students have options based on their career desires

The Interior Design undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University provides a number of specialized classes in a variety of basic areas.

Technical and professional:

Emphasizing building code
Computer aided drafting and modeling
Building systems
Lighting and materials and professional practice

Other emphases for more artistic pursuits:

Designing projects in studio classes
Learning presentation techniques for projects and portfolio

Additional information

Investigate historical movements and how they brought about development within design and influenced culture.
Recognize pattern languages. Design using “evidence” from historical and scientific research to produce living environments with predictable beneficial outcomes.
Choose your own research interest and explore it through the lens of a project as your capstone.

Learn how to create working drawings using time tested construction conventions.
Immerse yourself in the virtual world of computer assisted drawing and modeling.
Experience seeing your design ideas come to three-dimensional life and be able to walk through spaces you create before they are built.

Protect the health, safety and welfare of persons many of whom spend 90% of their time indoors.
Become part of the building community by sharing in the rules and regulations necessary for building safe interiors.
Learn what it means to become a professional, prepare for qualifying exams, and conduct a job search.

Learn how buildings are constructed, how the interior systems necessary for operation function and affect design.
Bring interior spaces to life using light sources to allow areas to change character and use in an exciting way.
Building materials form the designers palette allowing creative expression based on their unique properties and assembly.

Experience the freedom and challenges of studio classes where different building and interior types are explored in a laboratory setting.
Transition from projects where you are the client to preparing programs for clients, meeting their needs and exceeding expectations.
Apply critical thinking in accepting criticism of your work, looking at your work in a different way, learning and growing through both.

Organize images, text and materials artistically on presentation boards to describe the solution and illustrate the process.
Understand and execute graphic design principles using different types of digital media to illustrate.
Develop personal identity through graphics and portfolio to present skills in pursuit of a professional job.

Purchasing a laptop is encouraged the Fall semester of your sophomore year, and essential for your junior year. We encourage students to use PC laptops for our program.
Refer to our Laptop Suggestion Guide PDF for more information about laptop requirements. Contact the department for more info.